Category Manager

Recruiter: Set Consulting

Job Ref: 316827

Date posted: Monday, September 21, 2026

Location: Sasolburg, South Africa

SUMMARY: POSITION INFO: Overview The Category Manager is responsible for the strategic planning, development, and execution of product categories within the organisation. The primary objective is to maximize sales and profitability by formulating strategic marketing plans, pricing strategies, and promotional activities to enhance product visibility and drive growth. Key responsibilities include analysing data, driving cost savings, developing exit strategies for unsuccessful products, managing vendor relationships, determining product positioning, and forecasting product demand. This role works closely with cross- functional teams, such as marketing, sales, and supply chain, to achieve overall business objectives, and is responsible for leading a team of product support professionals. [Qualifications]{.underline} Grade 12 Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Marketing, Supply Chain Management or equivalent. Advantageous Requirements Blasting experience (3 years) Commercial explosives experience (3years) Experience working in a mining environment A master's degree is preferred. [Experience]{.underline} Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in category management, product support, marketing, or a related field. Proficiency in data analysis tools and procurement software. Knowledge of market trends and best practices in category management. 5 years experience working within Product management in the mining field Ability to travel as required for supplier meetings or industry events. [Duties will include, but are not limited to:]{.underline} Strategic Planning: Develop and implement strategies to promote the marketing efforts for the product category. Create strategic marketing plans to boost customer engagement and promotions. Define sourcing strategies to optimise cost, quality, and delivery. Develop exit strategies for unsuccessful products to minimize losses. Pricing and Promotion: Formulate and execute pricing strategies to optimize sales and profitability. Devise pricing strategies to attract more sales and upsell other products in the category. Determine product positioning to maximize market impact. Data Analysis and Insights: Utilize data analysis to gain insights into customer behaviour, purchasing patterns, and market trends. Use this information to drive growth and improve category performance. Forecast product demand to ensure adequate supply and meet customer needs. Monitor inventory levels and ensure alignment with sales forecasts, working closely with the supply chain team to minimize stock-outs and overstocks. Product Development: Oversee the product development process from concept to launch, through collaborating with engineering, design, and other teams to develop product specifications and requirements, as well as partnering with the Business units and support functions. Conduct regular review of product portfolio, develop and implement initiatives to improve the performance/quality/profitability of respective products. Performance Monitoring: Monitor category performance and adjust strategies as needed to achieve business objectives. Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to category management. Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with teams throughout the research and development stages. Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including procurement, supply chain, marketing, and sales teams. Manage vendor relationships to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness. Lifecycle Management : Manage the product lifecycle from introduction to end-of-life. Develop plans for product updates, enhancements, and phase-outs. Ensure ongoing product relevance and competitiveness in the market. People Management: Lead the Product Management team including performance management, succession planning, and implementation/execution of employee development plans. [Competencies]{.underline} Proficiency in MS Office Skills (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook) Strong understanding of financial principles and ability to analyse profitability and sales data. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and influence others. Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills. General Competency Business Acumen - Essential Communication and interpersonal skills - Essential Customer Focus - Essential Functional Technical Skills - Mastery Integrity and Trust - Strong Focus Problem-Solving - Essential Multitasking - Essential General Role impacts: Customer Satisfaction Lifecycle management Product management Sales Operations Technical R&D Key Relationships Senior Management/Management/Country Managers Shared Services team Operations Production and Logistics Commercial, Marketing, Supply Chain External stakeholders, business partners, and Industry experts